After hanging a final load of washing we headed out, this time to the river to take a cruise covering the 6 bridges that span it within the city area.
Porto is one of the older cities in Europe and the old city area was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. We covered the same path into the city and then our noses - and some tourists - to the river. After seeking some directions, we found ourselves negotiating the many steps down to the riverbank.
As we headed to our cruise boat, we could see large groups of yellow T-shirted young people with babushka's heading in a long line across one of the bridges. We were curious but did not know who they were.
The river cruise gave us a different perspective of the city as we could see the old walled parts as well as areas that had been neglected, renovated buildings and newer areas that had sprung up. Known as the city of bridges, the first permanent bridge to be built in Porto was the Ponte das Barcos - a pontoon bridge finished in 1806. Three years later, it collapsed under the weight of thousands of fugitives from the French invasions during the Peninsular War, causing the loss of thousands of lives. Another of the bridges - the Maria Pia Bridge - had been built by Gustav Eiffel in 1877. When constructed as a rail bridge and made of wrought iron it was the largest single span bridge in the world, with a central span of 160 metres and 60 metres above the river. The bridge is no longer in use but very reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower. We headed down as far as the sea, and were surprised by the cool sea breeze!
On our return we found a lovely restaurant where we could sit indoors and enjoyed lunch. We questioned our waiter on the young people with the yellow T-shirts - a group of whom were passing. He explained that they were the students who were about to start the new University year. As part of their 'initiation' the students from higher years organised activities/pranks for them to undertake. The older students, dressed in black gowns were 'herding' then along.
We then wandered over the bridge and headed for the port area for the obligatory tasting. We tried the white, tawny and rosé and agreed that they were all to our taste. The walk along the river was lined with stalls selling tourist trinkets, and also the old wooden boats - barcos rabelos -used to transport the port down the river from the caves at Vila Nova de Gaia where it was made.
As we crossed the bridge, a stream of yellow T-shirted students were heading in the opposite direction. They did not appear very happy and were being urged to go faster, but when we asked if they were having fun, they said 'yes'! We caught the funicular up from the quay and headed home to meet Helen who was arriving from Croatia.
After purchasing the makings of dinner, we retreated to the house to prepare dinner and catch up on all Helen's news, while explaining to her what we had been doing. It was a great casual affair, as we also rotated the clothes that were not yet dry!
Porto is one of the older cities in Europe and the old city area was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. We covered the same path into the city and then our noses - and some tourists - to the river. After seeking some directions, we found ourselves negotiating the many steps down to the riverbank.
As we headed to our cruise boat, we could see large groups of yellow T-shirted young people with babushka's heading in a long line across one of the bridges. We were curious but did not know who they were.
The river cruise gave us a different perspective of the city as we could see the old walled parts as well as areas that had been neglected, renovated buildings and newer areas that had sprung up. Known as the city of bridges, the first permanent bridge to be built in Porto was the Ponte das Barcos - a pontoon bridge finished in 1806. Three years later, it collapsed under the weight of thousands of fugitives from the French invasions during the Peninsular War, causing the loss of thousands of lives. Another of the bridges - the Maria Pia Bridge - had been built by Gustav Eiffel in 1877. When constructed as a rail bridge and made of wrought iron it was the largest single span bridge in the world, with a central span of 160 metres and 60 metres above the river. The bridge is no longer in use but very reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower. We headed down as far as the sea, and were surprised by the cool sea breeze!
We then wandered over the bridge and headed for the port area for the obligatory tasting. We tried the white, tawny and rosé and agreed that they were all to our taste. The walk along the river was lined with stalls selling tourist trinkets, and also the old wooden boats - barcos rabelos -used to transport the port down the river from the caves at Vila Nova de Gaia where it was made.
As we crossed the bridge, a stream of yellow T-shirted students were heading in the opposite direction. They did not appear very happy and were being urged to go faster, but when we asked if they were having fun, they said 'yes'! We caught the funicular up from the quay and headed home to meet Helen who was arriving from Croatia.
After purchasing the makings of dinner, we retreated to the house to prepare dinner and catch up on all Helen's news, while explaining to her what we had been doing. It was a great casual affair, as we also rotated the clothes that were not yet dry!
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